Question is though, are they beneficial?

Your training may seem like the most important factor to weight loss but in fact it is only 20%, where as your diet is a massive 80%. This means your diet must be on point to reach your goals.

If you are follow a diet plan and stick to 90% of it you can technically include 1-2 cheat meals per week to stay sane. One of the main benefits of incorporating a cheat meal into your diet is that it helps to fire up your metabolism. Eating that cheeky burger, pizza or carb-loaded pasta has an effect on your leptin levels. Leptin is a hormone in the body which is secreted by fat cells and is key for maintaining energy balance in the body. So if your energy levels are low due to the effects of your strict dieting, then a cheat meal will go a long way to help fire up your engine!

Just remember, on the days where you are eating fast food meals, drink plenty of water to prevent fluid retention from all the salt in the fast food.

Eating cheat meals can definitely help your psychological game. If you were to hardcore diet for 12 weeks without any cheat meals, hats off to you, you deserve a medal and a one-way ticket to a mental asylum.

Otherwise, people who have cheat meals throughout their diet will usually stay on top of it all without going crazy.

A fat greasy burger or a 12” pizza is okay, indulge yourself every once in a while, you’ll reach your goals in no time.